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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2002)
AGGlij THE BATI; form Moo Sci Tech THE BATTALION 5A Thursday, March 7, 2002 Experts endorse anthrax vaccine appreciates the • cs from Texas at; l ' e Texas," ft like to have . » WASHINGTON (AP) —A panel of sci- said he ah en,lsts on Wednesday endorsed the safety d to be a conic M* effecti veness of the anthrax vaccine, also recommended research into hlproving it. '■Last year's anthrax-by-mail attacks ®used additional attention on the vaccine, ■eady criticized by some military mem- flrs who resigned rather than take it be<. ause of concerns about side effects. I The study by the National Academy of ■ience’s Institute of Medicine concluded thai the vaccine protects against all forms of hrax and has no more serious side effects n other vaccines given to adults. “The anthrax vaccine should protect lainst even the inhalational form of the lection, but the lengthy vaccination sched- K and the way the shots are physically ■ministered make it far from optimal,” said Hian L. Strom, chairperson of the committee thui reviewed the vaccine. ■ The committee urged the Defense Rpartment to support research into a better vaccine. I The vaccine was approved by the Food ■d Drug Administration in 1970. The man- ■acturer, BioPort Corp., took over the ■oduct in 1998, but not until February did it in FDA approval for full production. ■ After the anthrax attacks, many postal workers and Senate employees were given protective antibiotics in case they had ■en exposed to anthrax. When those nts love of ' impression iis life, orbed ufutmi an with it," Sit t a comic, I an; >ple laugh," '■aid each of • s is different. H is material tw, 1 sees in the cn >' audience M lave to adapt r audience ait until 1 ge I mix it up," said be love ' a negative ■cling preM stack* in his I said, howe ispects of hi igh the nega: hen he takes to remembe: >e a comedia: >y being on taces laugh is a high tl a in." aid some of i bers might fe material of its graphic® get offended tal you shot are said, aid he is exp; xcellent timfi >se. ost brilliai!i. hit CollegeSa ur way." Sh':i will perfri p.m. and 1UI t the Loosed !(). workers finished the first 60 days of antibiotics, medical experts suggested they continue those drugs, add vaccina tions or end treatment. Most opted to avoid the vaccine. Asked if he would have recommended they take the vaccine, Strom said the answer would be yes, if he had known then what he does now. u The anthrax vaccine should protect against even the inhala tionalform of the infection 5.* — Brian L. Strom Chairperson Anthrax Vaccine Committee Bob Kramer, president of BioPort, said he is pleased that “once again the safety and efficacy of the vaccine has been confirmed.” The report was also welcomed by the Pentagon. “This peer-reviewed report ... offers con firmation that the department uses a protec tive measure that works for those at risk of exposure to the lethal agent anthrax,” said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant sec retary of defense for health affairs. But Steve Robinson of the National Gulf War Resource Center, said he will press the Defense Department to establish a mandatory compensation program for anyone who has a serious reaction to the vaccine. The report said the rate of reactions was similar to that of other vaccines, such as tetanus, that were given to adults. These included skin redness, occasional malaise and muscle pain but no serious health impairments, the report said. There were also reports of itching or swelling at the injection site — possibly because the vaccine is injected under the skin rather than into muscle, as is the case for most vaccines, the study said. There is only limited information about possible long-term effects, the report noted, but there are no indications of increased risks. But the vaccine is manufactured using older technology and requires six shots plus an annual booster, something the committee felt should be improved. “The most prudent course of action is to develop a new vaccine — given the nation's war against terrorism and the domestic attacks where anthrax was used as a deadly weapon,” said Strom, director of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. The current vaccine has been used to pro tect veterinarians and others who work with animals. Restrictions on genetically engineered fish ■ SACRAMENTO (AP) — California may impose the naiion’s toughest restrictions on genetically engineered salmon, even before the federal govern ment decides if it should be the firsi transgenic animal approved for human consumption. ■ Measures restricting the sale or production of the fish are pending in both state Legislative Chambers, though the' nearest /mon farming is in 'ashington’s Puget Sound ause conditions in California I; not suitable. I Fishermen and environmen- I groups say genetically engi- lered salmon that escape from th;ir enclosures could harm the ttest Coast’s already dwindling n;tive populations. I They cite studies by Purdue Uiiversity and others showing that so-called “superfish” — ■ered to grow larger and fajster — could have a competi tive advantage for food, mates and habitat. But Joseph McGonigle, vice president of Waltham, Mass.- based Aqua Bounty Farms Inc., said that is not possible since only sterile females would be used. Unlike sterile males, escapees would not attempt to go to river breeding grounds and spawn so there would be no behavioral competition. McGonigle’s company, which has transplanted a gene that makes salmon grow to full size in half the usual time, has been trying to get Food and Drug Administration approval for its fish since 1996. He said the FDA should be ready to decide by 2004. A bill pending in the California Senate would be the nation’s toughest, banning the import, transport, possession or release of transgenic fish in the state, with violators fined up to $50,000. Hatching controversy The federal government is expected to decide by 2004 whether genetically modified fish are suitable for human consumption. But opponents say “superfish” farms pose a more present threat — to the environment. The appeal By introducing a growth gene into Atlantic salmon eggs, farmers can breed larger salmon that reach market weight 6 to 12 months sooner than normal salmon. SOURCES: Food and Drug Administration; Associated Press The concern Environmentalists say transgenic salmon that escape from areas where they're bred could threaten wild salmon populations because they would have a competitive advantage in feeding and mating. Searching for solutions ► A Massachusetts- based hatchery says it only breeds sterile females that would not pose a competitive threat if any escaped because they would not attempt to spawn. ► A Maryland law passed last year requires that transgenic fish farms be in a pond or lake that that doesn’t flow into an open body of water. AP yi idult stem cells show Ipromise in tissue research fetem AP — Researchers have found evidence that cells circulating in the bloodstream can ow new tissue in the liver, gut and skin. The study is the latest to suggest the versa- of adult stem cells, the body’s manufac- tlity NEWS IN BRIEF turing equipment for new tissue. In adults — unlike in embryos — they have long been thought to be programmed to make just one kind of cell, such as liver or brain, depending on where they are located. Stem cells found in the bone marrow were once believed to make only new blood cells. But recent studies have upset this dogma, finding that they apparently develop into a variety of cells throughout the body. Stem cells in the blood are virtually identical to the bone marrow variety. The latest work, published in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine, suggests they can morph into many different kinds of tissue. The finding boosts scientists’ hopes of one day using stem cells to repair injuries and treat diseases. A l 'Mentors Texas A&M faculty, staff and administrators helping students. ollege of Engineering tcademic Programs Office Its. MaryAnn Rautz wean’s Office f . D; Glen Williams \erospace Engineering MivfU! Di Leland Ca Ison | {s Sandy Ray nent Biomedical Engineering . , Mr. Fidel Fernandez ith wa» j c tal I’m/ Engineering br. Roy Mann ins . ij Dt Ray James tcI mini l 1 Lit. Mike Linger ties [Tr. Thomas Mather vage, ga^ f Roger Smith 'Computer Science |Dr. Walter Daugherity r. John Leggett r. Mac Lively W lee trie a! Engin eering |>r, Michael Grimaila r. Robert Nevels r. Erchin Serpedin ngineering Technology nd Industrial Distribution Is. Kaye Matejka Wl d picnic Ms. Heather McNeil Mr. Larry Muehe Ergonomics Center Ms. Shelly Watson Industrial Engineering Dr. Wilbert Wilhelm Mechanical Engineering Dr. Richard Griffin Ms. Cathy Sperry Dr. Steve Suh Dr. John Vance Nuclear Engineering Dr. John Ford Dr. Yassin Hassan Dr. John Poston Petroleum Engineering Ms. Betty Popp Texas Engineering Extension Service Mr.Gene Charleton Mr. Mark Evans Mr. Jose Grimaldo College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Sciences Program Mr. Jason Poole Mr. Brady Dennis Dean's Office Ms. Sue Moody Large Animal Medicine Dr. Robert Field Dr. Allen Roussel Medical Science Library Ms. Debbie Sunday Small Animal Medicine Dr. Theresa Possum Dr. Lisa Howe Dr. Matthew Miller. Dr. Michael Willard Vet. Anatomy and Public Health Dr. A.B. Childers Ms. Nonna Funkhouser Dr. Anton Hoffman Dr. Lynn Ruoff Dr. Loren Skew Dr. Jane Welsh # Veterinary Pathobiology Dr. James Derr Ms. Mary Jewell Physiology’ and Pharmacology Dr. Deborah Kochevar College of Geosciences Dean’s Office Ms. Cathy Littleton Mr. Rodney Paris Dr. Mary Richardson Geography Dr. Robert Bednarz Geology and Geophysics Dr. Richard Carlson Dr. Andrew Hajash Dr. Christopher Mathewson Dr. David Sparks Dr. Hongbin Zhan Oceanography Dr. William Bryant Dr. Benjamin Giese Dr. William Sager Dr. Nial! Slowey The ATM.entors Program consists of approximately 370 Texas A&M faculty, staff, and administrators who volunteer extra office hours to make themselves available to students. Mentors names will be appearing in the Battalion throughout the week. or more information on these and other Mentors check out the ATMentors website at: http://inentors.tamu.edu Sat., March 16 th The Cowboy Western Club (S. Hwy 14, Mexia) presents Deryl Dodd and Painted Desert s 8.00 - Advance *10.00-Door Doors open @ 7 PM ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT CAVENDER’S in College Station 979-696-8800 Acupuncture and Herbs by Physicians Help for: • Pain management • Sports and Work injuries • Headaches and PMS • Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue • Anxiety and Depression • Concentration and Memory improvement • Quitting Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking addiction • Bronchitis, Sinus, Allergy • Colitis and Irritable Bowel (IBS) Herbal Consultations Mahesh R. Dave, MD Nalini M. Dave, MD 1201 D Briarcrest Drive, Bryan • 979-776-5600 TAMU-BC/BS, United Health Care, Cigna and other insurance. May cover acupuncture. www.BrazosDoctors.com Satchel’s NORTHGATE 260-8850 Across the street from Tradition’s Dorm Monday/Tuesday Lunch Special Monday Noon • Tuesday Noon Chicken Fried Steak . w/French Fries $ 95 & Salad „ M m your choice 1 5 Vegetable Plate w/ *1.30 longnecks all day, everyday Aggie Card welcome! Free Parking behind Shadow Canyon. $ kinko's Your Student Election Headquarters! We have all of the supplies that you need. Call and check us out - 846-8721. 18” x 24” Black and white - $ 1.50 Express color copies 59^ Color Paper with black ink - (letter size, single sided paper) Full Color Vinyl Banners - $ 6.00 per square foot All prices apply to those working on student elections. Please allow a 24 hour turnaround time for the vinyl banners. 509 University Drive, Northgate OPEN 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK NATIONAL LAMPOON IS BACK! "AB$0yjTIi,Y HYSHRICAIL*.* ANOTHER: LEGENDARY NATIONAL LAMPOON CLASSIC" •Golden Goto Xpress, Son Francisco Stole University "YOtJEUL LOVE EVERY STICKY MINUTE OF IT" -Col Stale Hayward Pioneer "THE FUNNIEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD!" 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